Abstract

The Gulf of Papagayo, Guanacaste, Costa Rica,area is the main center of tourist development in Costa Rica. The Gulf of Papagayo Project (GPP) is the product of a study contracted by the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) to determine the tourist potential of Central America. This project started in 1982, and was excempted from the Municipal administration and handed over to the Costa Rica Tourist Board (ICT by its Spanish name). The GPP intends a planned development by means of a Master Plan that is adminitered and supervised by the central government. It is a proyect declared of public utility and national convinience which givges it more support. With its master plan since 1995 that defines the general guidelines and its special legislation, this project has been carried out over the years as an oportunity for Guanacaste and Costa Rica